ICE arrests rapper 21 Savage, says he’s illegally present in US

Grammy-nominated rapper 21 Savage was arrested in Atlanta early Sunday by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to ICE spokesperson Bryan Cox. The agency says he is illegally present in the United States.

ICE says that the rapper, whose real name is Shayaabin Abraham-Joseph, is a resident of the United Kingdom, according to Cox. The agency alleges that he entered the US legally in July 2005, when he was a minor, but subsequently failed to depart under the terms of his non immigrant visa. ICE says Abraham-Joseph became unlawfully present when his visa expired in July 2006.

CNN has reached out to a representative for Abraham-Joseph but hasn’t heard back.

“Mr. Abraham-Joseph is presently in ICE custody in Georgia and has been placed into removal proceedings before the federal immigration courts,” ICE said in a statement. “ICE will now await the outcome of his case before a federal immigration judge to determine future actions.”

Abraham-Joseph was also convicted on felony drug charges in October 2014 in Fulton County, Georgia, ICE said.

Cox said Abraham-Joseph was arrested in a targeted sting.

21 Savage features on the song “Rockstar” by Post Malone, which was nominated for Record of the Year and Best Rap Performance at the Grammys.

The Atlanta-based rapper released his album “Issa Album” in 2017, featuring the hit song “Bank Account.” His second album “I Am > I Was” was released in December 2018. He has also released a collaborative album with Offset and Metro Boomin named “Without Warning” in October 2017.